"We need to deepen our cooperation."

The voice of the God of Knowledge, Tom, shattered the tranquility of the Twisted Mindlands. His featureless, blank-page face was directed at Daniel, and there was an unmistakable tone of finality in his voice, one that brooked no refusal.

Daniel did not respond immediately but instead calmly gazed at him.

It seemed that Tom sensed Daniel's hesitation, and his voice became more urgent.

"This not only concerns your future, but also my very survival. The other 'mes,' those insane individuals, will not spare anyone who deviates from their plan, especially someone like me, who is willing to cooperate with you."

He raised his hand, as if about to make some form of commitment.

"I swear on knowledge itself, that all my calculations and advice will aim to defeat Knowledge Daniel and protect Aurelia as the highest priority. If I break this oath, I will annihilate myself and cease to exist across all timelines."

Tom made the gravest of vows, one that tied him with an ultimate bond. For a being whose very existence was dependent on knowledge, this was the ultimate restraint.

As Tom made this oath, Daniel felt that it had been recognized by the supreme laws of the universe.

Yet despite this, Daniel did not relax his vigilance. Instead, his wariness only heightened.

As he looked at Tom, a forgotten image appeared involuntarily in his mind. Not long ago, he had used the power of the Clock of Fate to glimpse a fragment of Knowledge Daniel's future.

Though he didn't know if that destined future was truly final, one thing was clear: Knowledge Daniel had succeeded.

He had indeed become the eternal existence that transcended the Inner God, existing outside of all timelines.

That outcome was the inevitable future revealed by the Clock of Fate.

Could this all truly not be altered?

Daniel unconsciously furrowed his brow.

Tom, however, did not seem to notice Daniel's distraction. He was completely focused on analyzing the mental images that Daniel had shared with him, countless pieces of information flowing and colliding in his consciousness.

After a while, he spoke again, his voice regaining its usual calm.

"I know you still don't trust me, and that's understandable. With the God of Knowledge, any caution is justified."

"But you must also understand that I have no other choice. To Knowledge Daniel, both you and I are obstacles in his plan, variables that must be eliminated. We are natural allies."

Tom's voice paused, as if he were organizing his words, or perhaps giving Daniel time to digest this information.

"So, I support you. Whatever decision you make, I will provide you with the optimal strategy based on my calculations. Your victory is my victory."

Daniel snapped back from his thoughts, but did not immediately respond to Tom's offer.

"You focus on what you must do, prove your worth first. I will fulfill my part of the contract and help you."

The implication was clear: trust had to be earned through actions, not words.

Tom seemed to understand Daniel's meaning and didn't press the issue any further. He shifted the topic.

"How long do you need to complete your ascension and become a true God?"

"Two hours."

Daniel gave a definite answer.

"What?"

Tom's voice wavered for the first time. His featureless page-like face seemed to contort in shock.

"Two hours? That's impossible! Ascension to godhood requires an enormous amount of Seed of the Planes. Aside from that, gathering the other materials isn't something you can do easily. Even with the Land of Origin, and assistance from your avatars, collecting enough seeds would take a long time. How could you possibly complete it in two hours?"

Daniel didn't explain, only standing there calmly.

He could clearly feel that in the Land of Origin, the massive pile of Seed of the Planes was already prepared, ready for the final ritual to begin at any time.

Looking at Daniel's calm demeanor, Tom's mind raced, considering countless possibilities.

Suddenly, he seemed to have thought of something, and his tone grew extremely serious.

"I advise you not to use abilities like Time Flow, attempting to complete the ascension in an instant."

"Why?" Daniel asked.

"Because that would trigger the most violent energy fluctuations, as if igniting a supernova in the dark void of space. Knowledge Daniel and Inner God Daniel will instantly lock onto your position and jointly intercept you. At the most critical and fragile moment of your ascension, you won't be able to resist both of them at the same time."

Tom's voice carried a note of concern. Whether this concern was genuine or feigned, Daniel could not tell.

Just then, Tom continued, his voice more somber than before:

"However, that Inner God Daniel, in my opinion, is most likely just a fool kept in the dark. He thinks he is an ally, but in reality, he is nothing more than a pawn on Knowledge Daniel's chessboard, a discarded knife to be used and thrown away."

"Everything is within Knowledge Daniel's plan. From what I can tell, his advantages far exceed ours. So, you must maintain your unpredictability; that is our only chance."

Tom paused, his featureless face seeming to peer into the void, his gaze weighted with meaning.

"For example, what are you planning to combine for your God Rank Skill when you ascend to godhood?"

"The answer to that question, none of us know."

"But now, I might be able to make some guesses. However... I have a feeling you won't like my method of peering into the future."

The God of Knowledge seemed to have guessed something, and a smug smile spread across his face.

Yet, Daniel's expression remained unchanged, composed as ever. He knew that what Tom was saying was merely a test.

After all, the recipe for any God Rank Skill in the God Rank Skill Compendium was known only to him.

If the God of Knowledge truly knew all the recipes, then with his power, he would have been able to combine all the God Rank Skills!

There would have been no need for Knowledge Daniel to waste his time attempting to manipulate him and Inner God Daniel.

Thus, the God of Knowledge was still withholding certain truths.

Thinking of this, Daniel's mind cleared.

The God of Knowledge, despite his knowledge of the future, still didn't know some things.

The methods for synthesizing the top five God Rank Skills were among them.

Perhaps Knowledge Daniel and Inner God Daniel knew, but they didn't know that Daniel had already gathered so many Seed of the Planes.

So, his chance of victory came from the information disparity!

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